Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Sat Nov 6 11:57:38 2004

>>> Thanks Jack! I hope we can shed some more light on this subject. Here is a clip depicting what I think might be termed at 'straight' hand path:

http://webpages.charter.net/nickkio/HandstoBall/Linear05.mpg <<<

Hi Nick

Good clip. It exhibits the linear mechanics taught to most of our young hitters. The resulting hand-path shown in the clip also closely matches the hand-path illustrated and described in Adair's book. He correctly states that some angular bat displacement occurs early in the swing from the angular path of the hands. Then, he believes, the hand-path straightens and extends more linearly to contact as depicted in your clip.

I am away from my office and do not have his book for direct quotes, however, he contends that of the 70 mph bat speed generated during the swing, about 40 mph of that bat speed is generated from the early angular hand-path. How he defines how the final 30 mph is generated is the defining difference between his swing model and the rotational model I presented to him and described on this site.

In his model, he contends that during the swing, kinetic energy is developed from the body moving forward about 18 inches at 7 mph. He concludes that the final 30 mph bat speed is generated from the transfer of that kinetic energy as the hand-path straightens and slowed to a near stop in a "crack of the whip" type action.

I sent my description of a rotational model to him that contended that the hand-path remained angular throughout the swing and the body rotated around a stationary axis rather than moving forward about 18 inches at 7 mph during the swing. He wrote back to me declaring that any batter who would actually rotate around a stationary axis, could not develop enough energy to hit a ball past second base.

Other than his contention that a "crack of the whip" type action would occur from a linear extension of the hands, we also disagree as to whether torque is a major factor in generating bat speed. Adair's direct quote: "Conversely, a force at the handle is not transferred to the point of contact." I maintain that torque (opposing forces applied at the handle) accounts for the remaining 30 mph bat speed rather than his description of a "crack of the whip" type action.

Note: Nick, I will discuss the torque factor and how it relates to the clips you presented in a following post.

Paul and I have for years debated Adair's contention that a "crack of the whip" type action of the bat would occur from a linear extension of the hands. Many of you may remember our discussions of his analogy of a goat running in a straight line and reaching the end of the rope. I find this transformation to an angular hand-path most enlightening.

Jack Mankin